3 reasons why Olivier-Maxence Prosper is key to the Dallas Mavericks' season

2. Olivier Maxence-Prosper's defense will automatically make a difference for the Dallas Mavericks

Entering the 2023 NBA Draft, Olivier-Maxence Prosper was always regarded as one of the better defenders of his draft class. The 6-foot-8 forward has all the intangibles to become a great defender, and his 7-foot-1 wingspan will make it easy for him to cut off passing lanes and even block shots off of closeouts.

During the NBA Summer League, we saw O-Max's defensive capabilities stand out. Maverick fans witnessed firsthand just how versatile the 6-foot-8 forward could potentially be. His ability to pick passing lanes and become the best defender on the floor by making it difficult for any offensive player to blow past him were just a few of the observations fans made.

Prosper's ability to stay laterally quick at the top of the perimeter will make it hard for head coach Jason Kidd to not play him in the lineup on day one. To add to that, O-Max's length and athleticism will automatically make him a prime candidate to become one of the Maverick's most prominent perimeter defenders in the rotation.

However, one thing that could hamper Prosper's ability to become a standout defender on day one would be his youth. Spending three years in college makes him one of the older rookies in this year's draft class, but conversely, O-Max still has yet to play in a meaningful NBA game.

Fans saw at times, O-Max's lack of experience get the better of him during his Summer League campaign. Some older players who've had more time to develop in the NBA would commonly get Prosper in early foul trouble, which would hamper his ability to stay on the court.

Conversely, Prosper has continued to impress NBA coaches and players with his ability to stand out as a "veteran player" during offseason pro runs. This begs the question, how much will Olivier-Maxence Prosper make an impact on day one? We won't truthfully know the answer to this question until the 2023-24 NBA season has officially tipped off, but there is high anticipation for Prosper's debut.